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<p>Within the next decade, the field of social work is projected to see an average of <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm">75,000 openings</a> each year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And while a <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/how-to-become-a-social-worker/">career in social work</a> is not likely to help you <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/entry-level-social-workers-with-a-masters-degree-make-about-50k-to-start/">obtain a six-figure salary</a>, it’s a gratifying and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/the-number-of-social-work-masters-programs-is-growing-to-meet-demand-here-are-4-new-options/">in-demand field </a>that touches many job industries and community areas. </p><div class="paywall-selector"></div><div class="paywall">



<p>In addition to <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-careers-are-available-with-masters-in-social-work/">growing number of job opportunities</a>, more aspiring social workers may be drawn to this field thanks to its positive reputation. A <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=bsStWybPwKA%3D&amp;portalid=0">national survey from Ipsos</a> found that 80% of Americans have a favorable opinion of social workers. And in the post-COVID-19 era, social workers are in high demand as individuals, communities, and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/why-the-government-is-aggressively-hiring-social-workers-in-2023/">local and federal governments</a> have realized the importance of adopting mental health and other support services that social workers facilitate and provide. </p>



<p>Social work’s impact can be seen everywhere, says Yvonne Chase, president-elect of the board of directors for the <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/">National Association of Social Workers</a> (NASW). She’s also an associate professor at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.</p>



<p>“Social workers are really found in every aspect of community life,” Chase tells <em>Fortune</em>. “We work in schools, we work in hospitals, we work in mental health clinics, we work in senior citizen centers. Many social workers are part of our elected offices. We certainly work in the areas of housing and insufficiency.” </p>



<p>Social work attracts people who are <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/is-a-masters-degree-in-social-work-worth-it/">driven by a desire to help</a> others and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-field-work-in-a-masters-degree-program-in-social-work-program/">a master’s degree in social work (MSW)</a> is a helpful step to landing a career in the field. That’s why <em>Fortune</em> compiled a <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/">directory of online MSW programs</a> with a variety of information to help you <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-are-the-advantages-of-attending-a-masters-degree-program-online/">find a program</a> that best fits your lifestyle. If you are transitioning careers, it’s especially important to understand what the field of social work really entails. Here’s what you need to know.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-whole-picture-of-social-work">The whole picture of social work<strong> </strong></h2>



<p>While different people have different definitions of social work, a commonality is the idea of helping. “Social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives,” as the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-1">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> explains. And the main mission of social work, according to the <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/Career-Center/Explore-Social-Work/Choose-the-Social-Work-Profession">NASW</a>, is to “enhance human well-being and help meet basic and complex needs of all people, with a particular focus on those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.”</p>



<p>While social work and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-masters-in-psychology-degree-programs/">psychology</a> sometimes are correlated, social work focuses on the whole family system while psychology focuses on individual people, Chase notes. The <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Facts/Social-Work-History#:~:text=Since%20the%20first%20social%20work,problems%20to%20the%20public's%20attention.">first social work class</a> was offered at Columbia University in 1898, and in the time since, Chase says social work has continued to be a leading field in providing charity and help-related services. </p>



<p>“There’s so many options within social work, it’s so broad,” Chase says. “So we’ve been around for a very long time, and since that time, social workers have led the way in creating private as well as charitable organizations to serve people in need.” </p>



<p>Social workers typically practice within three levels: micro, mezzo, and macro, Mandy Weirich, a clinical instructor and the MSW online program coordinator at <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/west-virginia-university/">West Virginia University</a>, previously told <em>Fortune</em>. “Micro refers to one-on-one care, mezzo to community and group work, and macro to larger-scale state or federal initiatives, including policy and law.” </p>



<p>What’s more, social workers can provide assistance, guidance, and support to every community and people of all ages, as Sarah Swords, a clinical associate professor, and assistant dean for master’s programs at the University of Texas at Austin, previously told <em>Fortune.</em></p>



<p>“We talk about cradle to grave, we do. What we often say here in our school is that everyone at some point in their life will need a social worker, everyone, and it’s true,” Swords says. “There are very few people in this world who will not at some point be touched by a social worker.” </p>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>If you…</strong></th><th><strong>Then check out…</strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Want to browse all online master’s of social work programs</td><td><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/">Directory of accredited online MSW programs</a></td></tr><tr><td>Want a program that’s based in New York</td><td><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/new-york/">Online MSW programs in New York</a></td></tr><tr><td>Want a program that’s based in California</td><td><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/california/">Online MSW programs in California</a></td></tr><tr><td>Want a program that’s based in Texas</td><td><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/texas/">Online MSW programs in Texas</a></td></tr><tr><td>Don’t want to take the GRE</td><td><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/no-gre-required/">Online MSW programs – no GRE required</a></td></tr><tr><td>Want to get your degree faster</td><td><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/accelerated/">Accelerated online MSW programs</a></td></tr><tr><td>Already hold a bachelor’s degree in social work</td><td><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/advanced-standing/">Advanced standing online MSW programs</a></td></tr><tr><td>Want to attend school part-time while working</td><td><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/part-time/">Part-time online MSW programs</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-can-social-work-take-you">Where can social work take you?<strong> </strong></h2>



<p>Social workers<strong> </strong>are able to integrate into <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-careers-are-available-with-masters-in-social-work/">many roles</a> and are found in every aspect of community life, according to <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Facts/Types-of-Social-Work#:~:text=Social%20workers%20are%20found%20in,numerous%20public%20and%20private%20agencies.">the NASW</a>. This includes schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, senior centers, elected offices, private practices, prisons, the military, corporations, and numerous public and private agencies. </p>



<p>People who hold <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/">an MSW</a> have even more options to work within niche fields or areas, follow their passion, and more easily climb the ladder at existing roles. They can also move into careers in human resources, schools, and different types of hospitals. </p>



<p>Other typical career paths for social work students may include clinical roles such as a therapist, case manager, adoption worker, or outpatient health worker. People in this field can additionally pursue roles in community social work, such as a nonprofit administrator, executive director, program coordinator or manager, or a community liaison. Social workers can even <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/3-masters-in-social-work-dual-degree-options-to-consider/">pursue policy and law</a>.</p>



<p>While social work can take you many places, Chase says all social workers share a common mission. </p>



<p>“I think the goal of every social worker in working with clients is to have the client reach as much self-sufficiency as they can. And, you know, what does that mean? Well, it’s going to mean different things for different clients,” Chase says. “Some are not going to ever reach a certain point of self-sufficiency, but others have that potential.”<strong> </strong></p>



<p><em>Check out all of </em>Fortune’<em>s </em><a href="https://fortune.com/education/"><em>rankings of degree programs</em></a><em>, and learn more about specific </em><a href="https://fortune.com/education/careers/"><em>career paths</em></a><em>.</em></p>
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Social work is dedicated to helping others—but the field is about more than that, which is why social workers are in such high demand.

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